So... are the garibaldi still doing "it"

[drbill]

I spent a bit of time this spring and summer filming garibaldi for my soon-to-be-released "Damsels of Southern California DVD."

About two weeks ago I noticed the garibaldi were not laying fresh eggs in their nests with the exception of one that I saw. Water temperature had dropped below 59 F which is believed to be their minimum reproductive temperature. The one nest with fresh eggs was in shallow water where the temp was above 60 F.

Now that the water has warmed up again, I'm seeing garibaldi nests abandoned by the males and the garibaldi swimming in groups again.

Garibaldi mating has been variously reported as ending in July... or as late as October. I'm curious as to what other SoCal divers are seeing. Are they mating where you are diving (including other areas of Catalina since I'm diving in the very warmest region)? If so, what temperatures are you experience. Likewise if they are not.

 

[FrankPro1]

I haven't seen any schooling or mating Garabaldi this spring or summer on the peninsula. But there have been plenty of males defending their nests. What is the actual process of them mating? Females lay eggs on algae carpet and males swoop down squirting?

 

[drbill]

Frank, you'll see the female swimming in circles over the algal mat with her egg duct touching the nest as she deposits. The male will tend her, then swim in next to hear and deposit his milt on the eggs. I think there ius a picture of them doing "it" on the DVD cover. Yep, just checked... it is the middle left picture on the cover.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

 

[drbill]

Did another 55 min dive in the park today... not a single nest with eggs. Good thing I filmed them earlier this season.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

There's one on the swim platform.

 

[drbill]

Were these from the last trip you and Merry took out here, Phil? If so, that's about the last time I saw them laying fresh eggs.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

That was the trip. More pics here http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/297105-pesky-orange-fish.html
Although the eggs looked ready to hatch, he was still clearing out stars from his nest.